“We are excited to arrive in the City of El Alto’s District 14 to break ground that will begin construction of a modern processing plant, potato collection and storage center,” the President said.
Indeed, the dignitary explained that the new industrial plant in the municipality of Alto will collect the tuber to produce starch, flakes and frozen potatoes, among other derivatives for sale in the national market.
He added that this industry will create 224 direct jobs and some 47,500 indirect jobs at producers, carriers, vendors and workers in other services, for which he believes the complex will have a multiplier effect on El Alto’s economy.
“Therein lies the importance of this facility that we are building today (…) We are fulfilling our election offer to industrialize the country and here we have several industries in La Paz that we are already building for the benefit of La Paz men and – women,” he said.
He demanded that the social organizations, producers and neighbors keep social control over the construction company in building the plant so that it can be delivered within the planned 540 days.
The Minister of Productive Development and Pluralistic Economy, Néstor Huanca, in turn, specified that the government guaranteed 162 million Bolivians (about $23 million) through Supreme Decree 4774 for the construction of this industry.
This industry will have four storage silos with a capacity of 3,360 tons, coming from the provinces of La Paz, Omasuyos, Aroma, Manco Kapac, Murillo, among others, with production potential for the tuber.
Arce also this Thursday began construction of the grain conversion and storage facility in the community of Ixiamas in northern La Paz, which will boost agricultural production of rice and corn.
Amid a busy schedule Thursday, the head of state inspected and verified the construction progress of the Bolivian Institute of Metrology headquarters in Achocalla, 20 kilometers from the city of La Paz, an investment worth 42.6 million bolivianos (nearly $8 million).
According to Arce, this area was chosen as part of a policy of decentralization of La Paz’s public utilities to neighboring communities.
The work will create employment opportunities in the field and encourage its economic movement through the companies seeking quality certifications in terms of calibration, verification and accreditation.
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